Weeknight Rescue Meal Plan//2022//Week 7
Between the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of reasons to get in the kitchen this week (not to mention getting dinner on the table). You can find a whole line-up of Valentine’s Day treats by heading here and a few demo videos over on Instagram. As for game day? You’ll find my favorite dip in the meal plan below. As always, the shopping list is at the bottom of the page.
HEALTHY BAKED EVERYTHING CHICKEN
This tasty chicken recipe is one of the simplest solutions to supper I can think of. Once baked, cut into slices and serve alongside a generous, chopped salad. I like this crunchy, vibrant one, which is great this time of year. Make an extra breast or two to use in the Loaded Quesadillas below.
WARM SPINACH SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING
It might be nice to have something a little on the lighter side this week. This warm spinach salad is filling and really tasty. The crispy prosciutto is something you’ll want to eat on repeat. For a vegetarian version, swap it for roasted or sautéed mushrooms.
LOADED QUESADILLAS WITH AVOCADO SALSA
This is a super quick dinner that loads up quesadillas with chicken (or black beans if you want to go vegetarian), cheese, and vegetables. The recipe serves just two, so be sure to scale up your ingredients if serving a larger family. Whip together an avocado salsa on the side for dipping. For extra vegetables, I almost always serve Mexican Slaw on the side. Add a bowl of black or pinto beans if you like.
PORK TENDERLOIN LETTUCE WRAPS W/ GINGER LIME DRESSING
These lettuce wraps are like little tacos with Vietnamese flavors and a killer ginger lime dressing to finish. Since they’re pretty light on the appetite, you might want to add a side of brown basmati rice or a favorite Asian noodle tossed with fish sauce, sesame oil, and sliced scallion. Folks who don’t eat pork, swap in chicken thighs. Vegetarians could use firm or extra-firm tofu.
CHEESE SOUFFLÉ FOR TWO
It had been ages since I’d made this recipe, but I added it to our menu over the holidays. It was ethereal and delicious (I forgot how magical soufflé really is). Consider this for Valentine’s Day at home paired with a simple green salad. It’s a scrumptious meal to share with your sweetie.
LIGHTER ARTICHOKE CAULIFLOWER DIP
Since Sunday is all about football, I figured it would be a good time to pull out this one. The recipe packs in nearly five cups of vegetables and is just as tasty as a more decadent dip in my book. Also a plus? It’s not so likely to leave you with a food hangover.
Whole-Grain Blender Kefir Pancakes
Why not wake up your loved ones with a short stack on Valentine’s Day. These are super nutritious, all done and then poured from a blender, and excellent embellished with maple syrup and anything you have in your fruit bowl.
SHOPPING LIST // WEEK 6
Healthy Baked Everything Chicken
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs)
1 lemon
3 tablespoons Everything bagel spice blend
Warm Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing
4 thin slices prosciutto
4 eggs
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium shallot
1 large clove garlic
1 pound fresh spinach (not baby spinach)
1-2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Loaded Quesadillas with Avocado Salsa
2 large whole-grain tortillas or Flatout Flatbreads
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese (about 2 ounces)
1 small zucchini
1/2 heaping cup shredded cooked chicken (or black beans for vegetarian version)
1/3 English cucumber
5 radishes
1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
4 tablespoons salsa verde
1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ avocado
½ lime
Pork Tenderloin Lettuce Wraps with Ginger Lime Dressing
1/2 cup lime juice (4 to 5 limes)
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce or other favorite hot sauce
2 tablespoons fresh ginger
1 pound pork tenderloin
1 1/2 cups mung bean sprouts
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 English cucumber
1/4 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1/3 bunch fresh cilantro
1 large head butter lettuce or Romaine lettuce
Cheese Soufflé for Two
½ cup finely grated aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Pinch of nutmeg
½ teaspoons kosher salt
¾ cup whole milk
1 small garlic clove
¾ cup finely grated semi-hard cheese such as Manchego
3 large eggs
1 lemon
Cauliflower Artichoke Dip
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 cups cauliflower florets (about 1/2 medium head cauliflower)
One 14-ounce can artichoke hearts packed, in brine
1/3 cup light sour cream
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
3 tablespoons minced chives
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 cup coarsely grated sharp Cheddar cheese
Whole-Wheat Kefir Blender Pancakes
1 ½ cups plain kefir
2 eggs
2 tablespoons butter (I use salted butter)
1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour
¾ cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
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